ONE of the Britain’s most famous steam locomotives, No 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, steamed into York, ready to take its place in the country’s largest rail celebration.

Marking its 75th birthday, the steam loco travelled from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in Grosmont to the National Railway Museum.

The iconic engine was designed and named in honour of world-renowned locomotive engineer Sir Nigel Gresley, who designed Britain’s most famous steam locomotives including the Flying Scotsman and Mallard.

It was the first locomotive to arrive in time for the festival which runs from June 2 to 10, and features a line-up of more than 50 locomotives, including more than 30 record-breakers.

Built in 1937, the 100th Gresley Pacific locomotive is famous for setting the record for the fastest UK postwar steam speed record with a speed of 112mph in 1959. It was saved from scrapping in 1966 by a small group who set up a preservation society that still cares for the engine today.

Unlike Mallard’s speed record of 126mph, a record which still makes it the fastest steam locomotive in the world, Sir Nigel Gresley’s record was achieved with a trainload of passengers on an excursion.

Museum director Steve Davies said: “Sir Nigel Gresley is a part of the nation’s history, the locomotive’s designer has given us some of the fastest, most powerful and beautiful engines in the world.

“Nothing can match the spectacle of a locomotive in steam and so to welcome this magnificent engine to the museum in all her glory is a fitting countdown to Railfest.”